| | Sorry Mom!November 12, 2010 - Shawn PaulusI remember when my mother would tell me, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Well, sorry mom, but I have to say something about our “blame everyone else” elected officials. As I sit here and look back at the county budget process, I am beginning to understand how nothing ever gets done or fixed in this county. I am starting to understand the blame game all politicians use to try and make a point. County Executive Greg Edwards uses federal money and our county reserve fund to balance a budget and reduce taxes. Look at me! Look at me! I cut taxes method in an election year, Edwards proclaims. The next year, however, he blames Assemblyman William Parment and Albany when he has to raise taxes instead of cutting the spending he can control, which is more commonly known as the “don’t look at me, I didn’t do it” method. For their part, the Legislature is blaming everyone who is not in their political party. Majority rules, and most of the time it is straight party line voting. But I do recall back in late February on WDOE when Fred Croscut and Keith Ahlstrom said that most of the time it is unanimous voting and that we only hear about the party-line voting. Yeah right. gentlemen. All 26 legislators are to blame for this whether they are a Republican, Democrat or Independent. Yes I said 26, because James Caflisch was a legislator this year before the “good old boys club” appointed him as county clerk this spring. Three things that I know will always be for certain are this: death, taxes and the political blame game. Article Comments(4)CarlawFeb-12-11 6:17 AM Yup, I agree! "At least Shawn has the guts to write and post his picture instead of hiding behind a fake name." It sure does take guts to make a simpleminded attack and sign your name. Mr. Paulus has a tendency to oversimplify an issue or a problem by ignoring complexities or complications. Sorry, I don't have a picture, but my name is Carla Westerlund. Are you impressed Clarence? CBuckwaterNov-18-10 9:15 AM Watchdog - I must say it is pretty valiant of you to criticize someone who is willing to write under his own name, unless of course you're underdog's little brother, watchdog! At least Shawn has the guts to write and post his picture instead of hiding behind a fake name. My name is Clarence Buckwater, have a nice day. WatchDogNov-15-10 7:56 AM Shawn... Did you really make it past sixth grade because you write like a fifth grader? No wonder they don't let you write in the portion of the paper that most people read CaptainNov-13-10 10:45 AM The legislature's majority has made it very clear they're NOT willing to cut "non-mandated" services, so what's the purpose of these monthly meetings? They knew 12 mos ago that the county was facing an $18 million deficit, but instead of making cuts to lower the deficit, these dolts agreed to tax hikes that increases spending by almost $5 MILLION!?!? Over the last 12 mos, our reps have done absolutely nothing to address the deficit, and if the reasons to protect these non-mandated services are sincere, then the same exact concerns will still exist next year when the budget is due. They just can't comprehend that raising taxes is the real threat to the services they defend. The issue is not about precious services or deserving pay raises, it's how to fund them WITHOUT raising taxes. Post a Comment | in: News, Blogs & Events Web  |
